Oregon Humanities Council Sues Elon Musk’s DOGE Over Funding Cuts
The Oregon Humanities Council (OHC) has initiated legal action against the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk, seeking a federal court injunction to restore critical grants from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) to state and local organizations. The lawsuit claims that DOGE abruptly halted the operations of humanities councils nationwide, undermining the essential funding legislated by Congress.
Filed in U.S. District Court, the suit alleges that DOGE’s actions terminated all grants for 56 councils without a reasoned justification, effectively dismantling programs vital for community engagement in the humanities. OHC emphasizes that federal funding supports a variety of programs across Oregon, ranging from initiatives in rural libraries to youth-led mental health sessions and storytelling projects with local Indigenous communities.
Congress allocated $207 million for the NEH in fiscal 2024, with $65 million earmarked for state councils. Established in 1971, Oregon Humanities is a nonprofit entity that facilitates the distribution of federal funds for public humanities projects statewide. Joining OHC in the lawsuit is the Federation of State Humanities Councils, which aids 54 councils across the country and relies on NEH grants.
The lawsuit highlights specific concerns regarding OHC’s operational grant of $2.5 million, which represents about 50% of its annual budget. Although $2,029,271 has already been reimbursed, additional claims for $292,000 remain unprocessed, along with a pending application for a new grant that would extend through 2030. The Oregon Humanities Council is asking the court to deem DOGE’s actions unlawful and compel the restoration of appropriated funds. The case is assigned to U.S. District Judge Michael H. Simon in Portland.
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